The wardrobe hacks you need to help use those Summer clothes during Autumn!

I don’t know if it’s because I have very little sleep lately, or if it’s just the way the season is going but it seems too cold , too suddenly in a morning here!

Boys

I’ve found that layers are key with the boys, not to mention that this is always one of the key Autumn trends for children. I have a few shirts that belonged to Reuben that have passed down to Toby and I simply layer them over t-shirts or I add a jumper. The best thing about this is that you really aren’t buying new clothes, rather using the summer wardrobe to create an autumnal look through layers. It’s also a great way to use up slightly small jumpers – the shirt sticks out the bottom and folds back over the sleeves – no one will ever know!

As for trousers, I often think that jeans are a good Autumn/Winter staple, folded into new wellies or snow boots, they keep the legs snug and warm. Unfortunately it’s been my experience that legs aren’t so easy to ‘hack’ with boys because shorts really aren’t going to work for you unless it’s a mild Autumn.

Girls

I’m loving using all my new life hacks for Edith’s wardrobe – she still fits in 3-6 month clothing (some 0-3!!) and it means I don’t have to give up on some of my favourite pieces just yet. I’ve been using some of Edie’s very pretty summer dresses with a long sleeved body suit that has a Peter Pan collar (we have this one from H&M), a cardigan over the top and some thick tights. This has been ideal lately as it gets so much warmer in the afternoon/evening that I’ve just taken her tights and cardigan off. The other thing I’ve been doing with her dresses that are wayyy too short, is using them as tunics over leggings. It’s made crawling easier for her, but I don’t have to give up those cute baby outfits. Finally, shorts and bloomers over tights make a lovely summer outfit perfect for Autumn. As this is my first little girl and I am very much a feminine person with a soft spot for nostalgic children’s looks, I loved putting Edith in big bloomers over the summer, so it’s a pleasure to be able to keep her in them just a bit longer. My one purchase for her new wardrobe is a winter overall for babies from Macarons, which I really don’t think you can do without for younger children, just for those extra chilly mornings.

Mama

I think it’s important not to leave us out, mainly because after having children I’ve found my body (and style) has changed so much, but I don’t really have the time or inclination to buy myself a whole new wardrobe. I often look at my selection of clothes (which contains everything from my favourite cardigan than is nearly 15 years old and my teeny tiny hot pants that I still haven’t given away, purely so I can look at them wistfully and remind myself of being a teen) and think “How can I make you less boring and spruce you up?” I really do think that a lot of mums feel this way, especially after a baby. Layering is key for adults in Autumn too, pick a vest top and add a stylish jumper (I often raid Adam’s jumpers or shirts in Autumn as they cover the fact that my jeans are still a touch tighter than I want them to be) or shirt and layer up. Add a nice belt and some jewellery (if you wear it) to jazz things up. The one thing I don’t think you can go without as a Mama is a good pair of Autumn/Winter boots like these from Crockett & Jones. My mum always taught me as a child that if your feet were warm you would be warm too, so steer clear of the summer slip ons and invest in boots. The rest is down to layering. Why not put lacy or playful summer dresses over (leather if you have it as it is HUGE trend for AW15) leggings, fitted maxi dresses covered with a jumper to make a skirt or even a playsuit over thick tights with a long knitted cardigan.

Let me know what your Autumn wardrobe hacks for children are, I think we could all save each other some pennies!

H x